Storytelling Lesson Plans

Students discover how storytelling can shape a person's tradition.Students examine different methods of storytelling such as music, biographies, and African folktales. They then demonstrate their knowledge of storytelling by writing their own verses of lyrics to a blues song.

Learners demonstrate an evaluation of how the culture of a time period influences storytelling narratives by comparing Adeline's story to the plot summary of Cinderella and Anne Sexton's poem Cinderella. They write a poem which reworks a traditional fairy-tale in order to express their emotions.

Students explore the 5 senses. For this technology skills lesson, students participate in digital storytelling workstations that feature each of the 5 senses. Students create digital cameras and digital voice recorders to explore their senses.

Twelfth graders in groups select a human rights issues and create a presentation that examines it through art, storytelling, poetry, or acting. The lesson helps students use different modalities of learning. Student personal expression of ideas is encouraged.

Young scholars examine Aboriginal people of the Americas. In this history lesson, students make connections between their own lives and those of Aboriginal people. Young scholars engage in a 'talking circle' and use storytelling as a mode of cultural transmission just as it was done by Native Americans long ago. This interdisciplinary lesson includes stories, crafts, modifications, and extensions.

Students explore indigenous and Native cultures, and promote appreciation for the contributions from these cultures. They explore the concept of cultural conservation and gain more understanding about the issues that tribes face today. Students are exposed to the history behind storytelling and relating oral histories.

Students identify the parts of a story: subject, place, time, action, and moral. They explain the concept of and create storyboards. They create HyperStudio stacks using storyboards.

Students hold a "rendezvous," role-playing as trappers gathering supplies for the upcoming year in the mountains. They trade simulated beaver pelts for supplies such as bullets, tea, flour, and sugar. They share storytelling with each other and participate in dances and songs.

Use the Internet to research and create webquests about the texts and authors that Shakespeare studied in grammar school. Young authors will also discuss the role of technology in storytelling and use modern media technologies to create their own presentation. Resource links are included.

Students complete a unit on the art of storytelling, folktales, and fairy tales. They explore various websites, create a story and demonstrate storytelling techniques, and listen to classmates retell stories to the class.